Step-By-Step: Creating a Windows 2012 R2 Lab in Azure

With the end of support date looming regarding Windows Server 2003, most readers of this blog remember a previous post entitled Step-By-Step: Building Your Own Lab on Windows Server 2012 enabling those to test in lab the new capabilities offered by Windows Server 2012 R2. During today's CANITPRO camp, the question was put forward regarding what would one do should they not have access to hardware to run Microsoft's newest server offering. These steps will detail the ability to test Windows Server 2012 R2 on Azure free for 30 days.

Step 1: Sign-up for a new Microsoft Account ( previously known as Windows Live ID )

A Microsoft Account allows the ability for IT professionals to both sign-up for a free Windows Azure Trial, as well as sign-in to the Windows Azure Management Portal to provision and manage Cloud resources. Many IT Pros prefer to sign-up for a unique account to better track Windows Azure resources even if they already have a pre-existing Microsoft Account.

Note: Country and Postal Code: When completing this form, please be sure to accurately reflect your country ( Canada ) and Postal code

On the page following the Windows Server 2012 R2 evaluation page, register for a Windows Azure FREE Trial subscription by clicking on the TRY IT NOW button.

Step 4: Submit the Trial Registration Form for Windows Azure

Complete each field on the registration form and click the SIGN UP button.

Note: A valid Credit Card will be requested when completing the form for the Windows Azure Trial Registration in Section 3 of the form. This information is securely processed for validating your individual identity. The supplied credit card will not be charged during the trial subscription period. You must provide approval to convert your trial subscription to a paid subscription. This comes as common practice as most cloud providers generally require credit card information to validate the identity of individuals when signing up for trial programs of their offering.

Step 5 - Build Your Windows Server 2012 R2 Virtual Machine

At this point you should now have an active Windows Azure Trial Subscription to use for building your cloud-based lab environment.

Once the form is completed, click Create A Virtual Machine to begin provisioning the new VM.

The new VM will be listed with a Running status on the Virtual Machines page of the Windows Azure Management Portal once the provisioning has completed.

Connect to your new VM via a Remote Desktop connection, select your new VM and click the Connect button located on the bottom black toolbar.

When prompted, login with the LocalAdmin user credentials defined in the Quick Createform.

This lab setup will take you less time then downloading, installing and setting up a lab allowing IT professionals to learn Windows Server 2012 R2 practices and capabilities that much quicker. To take your learning to the next level, be sure to visit the Microsoft Virtual Academy and review the What's New in the Windows Server 2012 R2 Jump Startsession.